Australian Energy Market Operator

AEMO operates Australia's National Electricity Market (NEM), the interconnected power system in Australia’s eastern and south-eastern seaboard, and the Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) and power system in Western Australia.

AEMO operates gas retail markets in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia. AEMO also operates wholesale gas markets in south-eastern Australia, those being the Declared Wholesale Gas Market in Victoria (DWGM), the Short Term Trading Market in Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney (STTM), and the Gas Supply Hub (GSH), whose trading locations are based at Wallumbilla in Queensland, and Moomba in South Australia. AEMO also operates the Natural Gas Services Bulletin Board (GBB), and is system operator of the Victorian Gas Declared Transmission System. AEMO is also responsible for Gas Services Information functions in Western Australia.

Graduate Development Program

AEMO’s hugely successful three-year Graduate Development Program (GDP) is designed to empower employees to actively shape their future and build a rewarding career in the energy industry.

Our graduates benefit from a program which offers real projects, with real responsibilities, and exposure to mentoring from some of the top energy experts in the country. Through a structured rotation, graduates are exposed to multiple facets of our business and are provided with a comprehensive development program supported by a mentor, a manager, and a buddy.

Our advertisements for the 2018 GDP has received a huge response, with 970 applications from national and international students. From this group, 46 applicants have been invited to participate in an assessment centre day, including a behavioural interview, technical evaluation and group activities. Assessment centres will be conducted in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

To view the media release for the 2017 Graduate Development Program, please click here.

Stephan JacobsGraduate, Operations

“The opportunity to get an excellent understanding of such an important industry is second to none.”

Stephan Jacobs joined AEMO’s graduate development program in February 2015, and is currently in his second rotation, in the Gas System Operations team.

With so many graduate programs available, Stephan felt AEMO offered him the best opportunity to get started in the energy industry.

“People are often surprised when I say I have a three-year graduate program that has four nine-month rotations. I feel that’s the perfect middle ground, to getting a lot of exposure to different industry areas without sacrificing the time you need to really learn.”

Stephan is given real responsibilities in the Gas Systems Operation team, and has had the opportunity to attend a number of industry events and professional development courses.

“As a graduate you don’t want to be given pieces of work that are just easy for you to do. You want to emerge from the graduate program as a professional who can really take on a challenge.”

Over the course of the year, Stephan has been welcomed into AEMO’s employee culture and enjoys being surrounded by passionate industry professionals.

“If you value learning, and being in an environment where you will evolve into a very capable professional, AEMO’s the place to be.”

Tim Abernathy
Gas Transmission Engineer

“One of the perks of the program is day-to-day doesn’t exist. You are always exposed to new tasks, new people, and new challenges.”

Tim joined AEMO’s graduate development program in 2014, and has since continued on in his role as a gas transmission engineer.

Through the graduate development program, Tim was able to gain exposure to AEMO’s Gas Real Time Operations team and get a comprehensive overview of how the Australian gas industry works.

“I love the fact that you get the opportunity to work in many different areas of the business. It has taught me how to better communicate with people from a range of backgrounds and preferences.”

Tim believes the opportunity to work on a diverse range of issues facing the energy industry gives AEMO a unique advantage to offer unparalleled experience.

“The variety of exposure that you get to certain issues, and the fact that we’re right on the front line in informing the public and industry on them, is not something you can get somewhere else.”

Tim credits AEMO’s emphasis on graduate development for his extensive knowledge of the Australian energy industry, and enjoys being at the forefront of developing solutions.

“I’m still learning and I think I’ll continue to learn for many years to come.”

Rachael SawSenior Engineer, Supply Planning

“I’ve had so much support from everyone I’ve worked with. It’s a great balance of doing your own work, but also having people there to support you.”

Rachael completed AEMO's graduate development program in 2012, before continuing on in her role as a Senior Engineer in Supply Planning.

Rachael describes her experience with the graduate development program as invaluable and credits AEMO’s rotation system for her breadth of knowledge of the industry.

“I was given the opportunity to work in metering and settlements, wholesale market development, retail market development, and planning.”

Throughout the three-year program, Rachael was able to experience first-hand what it’s like to work in the energy industry's engineering work force.

“When one of my team members was on leave I was given the opportunity to step in and take over the vacant position. Although it was a big learning curve, it was exciting to have an opportunity where I could gain confidence in my skills and abilities."

As a valued graduate, Rachael credits AEMO’s graduate development program with granting her the opportunity to access her full potential in the field.

“You get real things to do. You’re not just in the back photocopying or observing. You get given your own projects with real responsibility. It was a great getting to do the work myself.”

Harmohan SinghElectrical Engineer, Operations Planning

“The graduate development program exposed me to a range of roles within AEMO.There were always new opportunities offering a variety of experience.”

Beginning in 2008, Harmohan spent three years in AEMO’s graduate development program before commencing his role as an electrical engineer in Operations.

Harmohan credits AEMO’s practical experience in the graduate development program for his in-depth understanding of engineering in the field.

“The program was great at converting theoretical understanding into practical use. Whatever I studied in university made more sense when I started the graduate development program.”

As a valued member of the graduate program, Harmohan was able to gain first-hand experience in project management, and contribute towards AEMO’s vital role in the Australian energy industry.

“As soon as I started my role, I was asked to work on a project that related to the power systems knowledge I gained at university. The project helped enhance my skills and allowed me to build confidence in my abilities.”

After eight years with AEMO, Harmohan credits the graduate program for giving him the opportunity to make a difference in the Australian energy industry.

“By rotating through various departments at AEMO I realised why my role is so important to the energy industry. I wake up every day thinking, yes, I’m helping the community by working for an industry that’s helping the nation.”